City Houses – Preston Lane

Art and Garden House

prestonlaneadmin — Wed, 26 Nov 2025 00:44:52 +0000

Designed to celebrate the clients love of gardening and art, this new double storey house was conceived as two volumes with separate roles. The larger building accommodates typical domestic spaces; bedrooms, bathrooms and a kitchen and dining area, while the smaller volume houses a generous living space and a purpose-built artists studio for the client which faces the street and engages the house with the neighbourhood.
Connections to the garden are framed throughout the design of the house – with the primary living spaces pivoting around the garden and the pool to the rear of the site.
Each room has been designed with accessibility in mind to assists the daily rituals of our client who uses a wheelchair.

Photography: Thurston Empson

Peppercorn House

prestonlaneadmin — Wed, 26 Nov 2025 00:07:21 +0000

Photography: Thurston Empson

Smith Street Townhouses

prestonlaneadmin — Wed, 03 Jul 2024 05:06:27 +0000

Photography: Jellis Craig

Darcy Street

prestonlaneadmin — Mon, 01 Jul 2024 00:07:21 +0000

Photography: Adam Gibson

Regent Street Extension

prestonlaneadmin — Mon, 01 Jul 2024 00:01:51 +0000

Located on the roundabout of a suburban arterial road in the heart of Sandy Bay, the extension steps up the slope of the corner site as it opens to the North enabling privacy for the occupants and distance from the noise of the road below.

Preston Lane was engaged to modernise the property to provide spaces for a growing family currently residing in Singapore. The extension included the revitalisation of the existing character home (back to its original form) and a substantial rear extension. An existing two-level extension was removed as part of the works to reveal the original dwelling and to enable a better relationship between the internal and external spaces within the new works.

A new entry has been created off Alexander Street, providing greater connection to the homes new Living spaces housed within the new works, whilst a subtle side entry from Regent Street has been maintained.

Photography: Adam Gibson

Richmond House

prestonlaneadmin — Tue, 08 Aug 2023 01:32:25 +0000

The project comprised of the renovation of the heritage house and removal of the poorly built extension to make way for a contemporary addition, whilst highlighting the features of the original house. The client’s brief was to create a large family home in Richmond, consisting of 4 bedrooms, multiple living spaces, and a swimming pool.

Photography: Adam Gibson

Northcote House

prestonlaneadmin — Thu, 13 Jul 2023 04:08:59 +0000

Photography: Adam Gibson

Waldheim House

prestonlaneadmin — Thu, 13 Jul 2023 02:00:35 +0000

This project comprised of the renovation and refurbishment to the original 1920’s bungalow ‘Waldheim’, the demolition of a poorly designed extension, and the integration of a contemporary, spacious, and light filled new extension, connected seamlessly to a wonderful new garden and swimming pool.

Photography: Adam Gibson

Brick Bungalow

prestonlaneadmin — Thu, 13 Jul 2023 01:28:40 +0000

The brief for this project was to design a new larger family house, replacing an existing small bungalow that was inspired by the key features of bungalows, in a contemporary manner not reproduction. Our clients wanted a porch they could sit within and watch the street.

Photography: Adam Gibson

North South House

prestonlaneadmin — Mon, 28 Jun 2021 06:08:07 +0000

North South House is located in the Eastern Melbourne suburb of Box Hill South. The original post war weatherboard house was quaint but unremarkable and the project started as a typical rear extension. As the brief and scope of the project developed through a series of concept designs it quickly became apparent that it was more feasible to demolish the existing house and start again.

The brief called for a new family home consisting of 4 bedrooms, two separate living spaces, multiple study spaces, a swimming pool, as well as most importantly the ability to capture the northern sun on the deep north south oriented block. The house had to incorporate the latest high efficiency heat pump technologies, solar and battery systems.

Photography: Adam Gibson

Parnell Facade

prestonlaneadmin — Mon, 10 May 2021 05:50:47 +0000

The project brief was to restore the original front of the house and partly demolish a poorly designed 1980’s extension which was dark and had no connection to the garden. A light filled contemporary extension that opened to the backyard and existing pool was proposed, incorporating existing structure and building fabric where possible to meet the project budget.

Photography: Derek Swalwell

Pirie St Extension

prestonlaneadmin — Tue, 23 Feb 2021 06:02:08 +0000

Pirie Street Extension reclines back onto a hill in New Town and gazes at the mountain, providing an outward focus to what was an internalised but charming 1910 cottage. Designed to soak in the sun, capture the mountain and feel immersed in the garden, a play with volume increases the perceived size of the space whilst maintaining a modest footprint. The form is clipped and white, a crisp contrast to the soft textural garden in which it sits. Weatherboards reference the existing house, yet are unmistakably modern with mitred corners. A thin aluminium awning creates a fine, sharp eyelid. The interior is restrained as a blank canvas for paintings. Pirie St extension isn’t a home of one singular moment/gesture rather a home integrated and fit, filled with many moments.

Photography: Adam Gibson

Markham House

prestonlaneadmin — Tue, 23 Feb 2021 05:27:12 +0000

The brief for this project was to restore a severely dilapidated house into a new four bedroom home with two living areas and off street parking via a rear lane. Located in a heritage overlay the existing house had to stay and any new proposal was to be respectful to the existing dwelling and the surrounding streetscape. Locating the extension to the rear of the site ensured this respectfulness and set up a zoning to the house to allow separation from the main bedroom at the front, the new living spaces on the ground floor and the new bedrooms located upstairs. Given the new extension was built boundary to boundary a large void was inserted over the new living spaces to provide eastern light deep into the plan further connecting the upstairs rooms with the spaces below.

Photography: Dylan James

Ilfracombe St Extension

prestonlaneadmin — Tue, 23 Feb 2021 23:44:21 +0000

Photography: Adam Gibson

Henry St Extension

prestonlaneadmin — Tue, 23 Feb 2021 06:26:26 +0000

Photography: Adam Gibson

Point View House

prestonlaneadmin — Tue, 30 Apr 2019 03:51:25 +0000

This modification and extension of a 1930’s river side brick home is flanked by a busy street on one side, and a Derwent River marina on the other. The project inverts the standard architectural response in the area by discreetly carving in to the landscape rather than building up.

Circulation is deliberately contained to the rear of the building to allow key functions to be pushed to the façade, creating light filled spaces despite being underground. Manipulation of the connection between old and new provides a contrast between open plan and private living to give the occupants a balance of family living and private retreat spaces.

Photography: Adam Gibson

Knocklofty Terrace Extension

prestonlaneadmin — Thu, 04 Apr 2019 04:20:09 +0000

Knocklofty extension transforms a 1980s red brick veneer home into a modern, warehouse inspired family home. The home sits on a steep site overlooking West Hobart and the River Derwent beyond. To meet the clients brief the existing roof was removed, the building was simplified and a new level was added.

Volume and large glazing elements draw in light and provide a fresh, airy feeling to the home. Alterations enable social interaction between indoor and outdoor spaces but also between the living spaces and parents loft above.

Photography: Adam Gibson

Lansdowne Extension

prestonlaneadmin — Fri, 15 Feb 2019 05:15:37 +0000

Lansdowne Extension injects a light-filled extension into a 1920s semi-detached house. The new works sleeve out of the existing house, working within constraints of the narrow width of the home and location of secondary storage shed. The new works provided a master bedroom with a dark moody ensuite, a new family bathroom, a hidden laundry, a study niche, living, kitchen, dining and outdoor entertaining area.

Play with volume, increases the perceived size of the space, and draws light deep into the home. An operable screen provides privacy, whilst also enabling the owners to mediate light levels. Recycled brick stairs lead you from the kitchen/dining down to the deck and into the garden beyond.

Photography: Adam Gibson

Mawhera Extension

prestonlaneadmin — Fri, 27 Apr 2018 03:40:11 +0000

Mawhera Extension re-organises the internal spaces of a period home on a sloping site which had undergone previous alterations. The clients, a family of five, loved the house and location but longed for greater connection between internal living spaces and the garden at the lower level.

The main living and dining area is modest in size but allows for different activities to coexist. Window seating offers a comfortable place to sit on the edge of the room in the sun, similarly, a study nook mediates between living and stair void. The house has grown in functionality and serves the families growing needs. Natural ventilation and light-filled spaces add to the liveability of the home.

Photography: Adam Gibson

Farm Hill House

prestonlaneadmin — Fri, 27 Apr 2018 05:09:27 +0000

Set on a windswept site in the suburb of West Hobart, the building steps down the slope, taking in the expansive views of the city and River Derwent beyond, whilst providing sheltered outdoor spaces which circulate the home for enjoyment throughout the day.

A neutral material palette has been provided both inside and out. A masonry base, acts as a cradle for the home to sit, enabling a lightweight structure to sleeve into. Lightweight forms are detailed and incorporate timber and textured elements, providing more tectonic qualities for user interaction.

Photography: Adam Gibson

Brunswick West House

prestonlaneadmin — Mon, 10 Apr 2017 01:34:46 +0000

This project is comprised of an existing period house in a Heritage Overlay with a rear two-storey addition. A north-facing site meant any rear addition had to deal with a more difficult southern aspect, so the addition is offset from the back of the house to create a central light-catching courtyard void. The new works were conceived as an extension of the existing fabric, but with their own distinct geometries which demarcate old and new. To minimise footprint and maximise open space, specially integrated joinery and zoning devices create an efficient and flexible plan, while the interior character was considered as a counterpoint to the ‘pretty’ decorative exterior – a warm and tactile heart contained within a more formal shell. Photography by Derek Swalwell

Horse Shoe House

prestonlaneadmin — Thu, 07 Apr 2016 22:26:20 +0000

Set in an established suburb on the outskirts of Hobart, the site takes in expansive views and overlooks both Blackmans Bay Beach to the North and the River Derwent to the East. The arrangement of the project enables controlled cross views between different parts of the house offered by the location and shape of the window apertures. Physical separation is afforded between the family, study and play spaces, whilst visual surveillance/integration is maintained between them, creating an inclusive living environment. Internally, a light material palette contrasts the dark exterior. Rooms are washed in white with selected joinery finished in timber veneer.

Photography by Derek Swalwell

Milkman’s Cottage

prestonlaneadmin — Tue, 21 Mar 2017 01:06:06 +0000

The project involved the alterations and additions to a small 1870’s milkman’s cottage. The brief centered around providing privacy, catching sunlight and maximizing useable internal and external space without compromising the original ‘bones’ of the heritage home. The extension celebrates tall and light filled spaces deliberately providing a contrast against the dimly lit and cosy alcoves of the original cottage. The subtle shift of materials and texture also highlights the shift between old and new.The extension steps off the rear boundary to carve out space for a sun drenched courtyard.

Photography by Adam Gibson

Malvern East House

prestonlaneadmin — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 21:33:45 +0000

Responding to a growing family the Malvern East House provides an enriched canvas for family life. Refurbishing the existing home, including the demolition of a poorly planned rear extension, enabled the addition of a light filled sequence of connected and flexible spaces. Sited over a series of split levels, the home responds to the existing landscape and offers a range of considered yet controlled views and connections to the functional back yard and swimming pool, or private internal courtyards. The natural material palate, timber, concrete, and masonry, introduces a textured and tactile theme throughout all aspects of the home responding to the functional demands of each individual space.

Photography by Derek Swalwell

Brunswick House

prestonlaneadmin — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 04:05:56 +0000

Key to the clients’ brief for Brunswick House was to provide better connections between the indoor and outdoor spaces and optimize the use of natural light throughout the house. Soft light bounces off the water of the new lap pool onto the ceiling intermingled with gentle shadows from the trees in the adjacent property on the western boundary. The crisp lines of the fine steel window frames and perforated mesh box overhead provide a contemporary addition to the original double storey Victorian terrace which intentionally contrast the original period features.

Photography by Derek Swalwell

Clifton Hill House

prestonlaneadmin — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 06:21:07 +0000

Positioned opposite a parkland to the rear of the block, the project consists of a timber clad extension to a single storey weatherboard semi-detached dwelling along with the general refurbishment of the existing house. A split-level configuration of the kitchen on the lower level and an elevated dining/living area provide views back to the city along with space for car parking below.

An internal courtyard between the old and the new along with a high level splayed window above the kitchen infuses generous light and a sense of spaciousness to this otherwise compact extension. A terraced timber deck to the east allows access from the new extension back to the park at street level and acts as a delightful play area.

Photography: Derek Swalwell

Winscombe Extension

prestonlaneadmin — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 06:05:58 +0000

The project consists of a rear extension to a 1920’s Californian Bungalow in Hobart. A split level arrangement provides living spaces at the lower level and sleeping spaces at the upper level. The living spaces are light and open with good connections to the outside, whilst the upper level form is solid and the weatherboard cladding taking cues from the existing building, providing a balance between the old and new works. Splayed reveals at the upper level, broaden the view from within and provide a psychological connection with the backyard.

Photography by Derek Swalwell

Elwood House

prestonlaneadmin — Thu, 12 Dec 2013 00:16:05 +0000

Elwood House features the adaptive reuse and transformation of a cold, dark and inefficient 1915 Edwardian house into a warm and light filled family home that has direct connections to the outside.

The new material palette of concrete block, brick, timber and polished concrete complement the original red brick and stucco house. Full height north-facing steel framed doors and windows allow natural light into the new living area extension opening up the new living spaces to the rear garden. Black glazed bricks were selected for the dividing fireplace element between the living and dining areas accentuating the drama between textures and materials.

Photography by Derek Swalwell

Mt Pleasant House Extension

prestonlaneadmin — Mon, 31 Mar 2014 00:54:02 +0000

Mount Pleasant is a National trust registered property comprising a Georgian residence (circa1835) and outbuildings set within a one acre garden setting. The project brief called for the renovation of the existing residence, the addition of a conservatory to provide everyday living and dining space and the construction of a new garage.

The project is in essence a re-organisation of the existing site through a series of new built elements. Through the insertion of a conservatory, garage, podiums and landscape walls a considered re-interpretation shifts the way the existing built and cultivated fabric is experienced.

Photography by Derek Swalwell

Browne Street House Extension

prestonlaneadmin — Mon, 31 Mar 2014 22:50:10 +0000

The project was an exercise in maximising the potential of the rear of a 1920’s home. The young family required more room and were in need of some useable outdoor play space for the kids to enjoy. A new addition on a podium provides greater solar gain, connections to the garden and commands the views of the city and beyond which were all previously underutilised.

The project is defined by three key design gestures. The establishment of a new podium to the rear, crafting of a new ‘floating’ roof and the sleeving of the new into the old through the relocation of the heart of the home to the rear of the property.

Photography by Jonathan Wherrett

Weld Street Kitchen

prestonlaneadmin — Thu, 27 Feb 2014 02:15:38 +0000

The renovation stemmed from the need to inject new life and light into the everyday spaces of the 1880’s Henry Hunter designed home.

The concept for the renovation established a light scoop for family life in the previously dark and confined kitchen space. Horizontality is expressed through the American oak banding so to draw users through the space to either the garden or remainder of the house. Timber jewel boxes allow the family to sit around the edges so to not over crowd the busy kitchen environment. Internally, the bay box window catches the afternoon sun whilst providing a family lounging spot on the fringe of the busy kitchen. Externally the fine steel armour is plugged onto the existing sandstone walls, establishing a relationship between materials that age well.

Photography: Jonathan Wherrett

Boot Leg Reserve House

prestonlaneadmin — Mon, 31 Mar 2014 00:51:42 +0000

The Boot Leg Reserve house sits amidst a wooded setting within the suburb of Sandy Bay. Designed for a young professional couple, separation between the adult and children’s bedrooms was also desired.

Conceptually the house is composed of a simple timber box sitting within a concrete cradle. The cradle is cut into the land and anchors the house to the site. The simple form of the house, belies a complex set of spatial connections. Cross linked spaces and the manipulation of spatial volumes expands upon the perceived size of compact rooms and provides unexpected connections to spaces beyond. This was a key device used to make a smaller house feel larger.

Darcy Street Extension

prestonlaneadmin — Mon, 31 Mar 2014 00:50:15 +0000

This project consists of an extension to an existing 1920’s Federation House in South Hobart. The existing residence was dark and enclosed, with little relationship to its backyard. The project brief sought to provide a new open living space which allowed light to penetrate throughout the day, and provide a connection between the indoor and outdoor spaces.

The main inspiration for the extension came from an existing wall of an adjoining warehouse at the rear of the site. This beautifully aged and textured façade provides a sense of enclosure to the rear of the property as well as a backdrop for the new extension. The new elevated living spaces provide a viewing plane focusing on this wall and the garden in between is perceived as an extension of this space.

St Canice Extension

prestonlaneadmin — Mon, 31 Mar 2014 00:48:18 +0000

This project involved a major alteration and extension to an existing 1920’s house in Sandy Bay. It presented a unique opportunity to provide two separate additions; an inward focused rear extension containing gallery, bedrooms and services, and a projecting living addition to the front of the house responding to the panoramic views of the Derwent River.

Our approach to this project was to identify the key original elements of the house and then insert a new contemporary extension. The rear extension focuses on revealing sections of the original sandstone wall and its unique deep reveal highlight windows.

Photography by Richard Eastwood

Downes Avenue House

prestonlaneadmin — Thu, 12 Dec 2013 00:16:00 +0000

As you approach this unique 1920s Spanish Mission Bungalow, you get a hint of the new timber clad extension to the rear.

The main challenge of this project was the orientation of a rear south facing block. The proposal introduces a new angled roof to the North which houses high level galvanised steel windows bathing the new living spaces with warmth, natural light and ventilation.

Photography by Michael Kai